Sunday, September 25, 2001

I thought it was suppose to be fall!

My new fall entrance garden.  Just put out the yellow mums.  Hope they don't burn up in this heat!


It was a scorcher today! I believe it was a whopping 103 degrees here in my neck of the woods.  The breeze was blowing hot, and I pretty much stayed inside the house all day! This is way to hot for this late in September.  What's happening to our world! I miss the rain and the cool breezes of fall.  Will we ever have cool weather here in South Texas? 

Well, enough of the weather. My day consisted of going to our local H-E-B for grocery's.  Hubby and I made our list and headed out early. (Sorry, we skipped church).   Got our grocery's and a new hummingbird feeder.  Those little hummers are buzzing every where in our back yard looking for a little drink.  So I figured I better get another feeder for them.  Now, I've got 4 feeders on my back patio.  I'll try to catch a photo of one of them, or two at the feeders. 

Got to see my son and my 3 precious grandkids.  They are all growning so fast I can't keep up!  I haven't seen them in 3 weeks! That is way to long for this little grandma! But, I know they are busy with school, and Jason and Missy are both teaching this year! They have a busy life that's for sure! But, I am blessed that both my kids live within a 15 minute drive from me.  Thank you Lord! Jenny's doing good today.  She had her 10 year class reunion this weekend.  That can't be! Seems like she just graduation from high school!  Little angel.  She should be delivering our new little one soon. 

This past Friday we said "Goodbye" to our Honduras visitor.  He's going back now.  Bobby helped him out for awhile.  But, he really needs to go back and see his family. 

Well, that's all for now.  

Valentine Day History

It was originally known as St. Valentine's day and shortened to Valentine's Day over time, but the sentiment remains the same. It's a day of celebrating love and affection between one another. The day is named after an early Christian martyr named Valentine and was first associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages, when courtly love was popular.



The date derives its name from several Christian martyrs from the early hundreds, AD. There were several different martyrs that the name was taken from and at the time they had no romantic leanings. One specific Valentine is said to have been martyred in Africa on February 14th and that's where the date came from. The romantic aspect of the holiday comes from Geoffrey Chaucer who wrote, "For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate." These words were included in a poem that honored the engagement of teenagers King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia. Critics mistakenly assumed he was referring to St. Valentine's Day of February 14th, although that is not a time when birds would be mating. In his text, Chaucer makes it seem like it it's an old tradition, although it doesn't appear to have existed prior to his writing it.



It seems only just that the city of love, Paris, adopted a High Court of Love on February 14, 1400. This was run by women on the basis of their poetry reading ability or the earliest written valentines. The holiday flourished and England embraced the celebration with the forming of factories that assembled paper valentines.



While the earlier forms of valentines were hand written poems, they eventually gave way to the manufactured forms. From paper valentines to gifts such as chocolates, flowers, and other romantic gifts, the traditions surrounding Valentine's Day have blossomed like the roses so popular on that day. It is estimated that 190 million valentines are sent each year in America alone, mostly among children. Although it's jokingly called, "Singles Awareness Day," it's still a time for all people to remember to express to their loved ones their un-dying love.

Happy Valentines Day!

Dee Dee

                              

Romance is the word for Valentines Day!

Romance:  A word, so beautiful it even sounds pretty!  That's what romance is all about.  A celebration of the Senses.  So turning your Valentine's Day into something Romantic can be a wonderful sensational experience.  Making things that taste, smell, feel, sound and look wonderful are the ingredients to a romantic day. 

Here's a few ideas:  For dinner, create that romantic mood with sensual foods, use your best crystal, silverware and light candles, play music, and have flowers on your table.  Use all the good stuff to create your table for two. 

Soft, cushioned, sink down puffy Beds are romantic, fluff your feather pillows, add a soft comforter, with loads of soft blankets. 

Create your own Valentine Cards to give. Everyone will love these "straight from the heart" homemade cards. I made these Valentine cards last year for my grandchildren. They were probably too young to appreciate them. These cards called "Antique Valentines"  Instructions can be found on the Martha Stewart website, as well as instructions for the following valentine cards. 

I thought this was a cute idea.  Cut out your own photos to be added to your creation!

These envelopes were made using doilies!  How clever is that!

Also using doilies, these valentine cards are sure to be a hit! 

All of the above card projects can be found at http://www.marthastewart.com/

So, go forth and be creative and romantic this valentines! 

Till next time....Dee Dee

(tablescape photo can be found at Victoria Magazine for a better view.)

Don't forget to buy your sweetie some flowers!

Valentine Flowers we made at my flower shop, a few years ago.

Valentine, Texas

Valentines Day is just around the corner.  If you want to have your valentines sent out with the special Valentine, Texas stamp, here's the information.  Send your valentines in a large envelope to:

Valentine Post Office
Valentine, Texas 79854-5400

They will post mark your envelopes with their cute stamps

Make sure your envelopes are fully addressed and stamped before you put them in the large envelope.  Take it to your local post office so you will be sure to have the correct postage. 

Won't your Valentine recipient's be excited to see their postmark! 

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Dee Dee

A few favorite pictures

Love the red ribbons and poinsettia's on this porch!

             This home seems to say "Come up for a visit"!  Looks inviting in the cold weather!

Loved this winter scene! 

The Christmas Holidays always make me wish for some snow.  So thought I'd share a few snowy scenes. 

Till next time....Dee Dee

Christmas Decorating

Haven't posted in quite awhile.  November was a busy month for me.  But I wanted to update my blog and hopefully inspire myself to get into the Christmas decorating spirit.  I've visited all my favorite blogs and some others for inspiration.  Hopefully this will get my into a decorating mood! So might as well tackle redoing my blog for starters.  Hope everyone is enjoying putting up their tree and festive decorations! Happy Holidays to all!

I love October!!!

October is such a wonderful month! The weather is getting crisp and Halloween is coming.  We can plan to decorate, or not.  Whatever you want to do is fine.  Me...I like to decorate for Halloween.  I think this came about because my daughter was born in October, and she always wanted to decorate her birthday with a Halloween theme.  So, I continue the tradition.  She and I both love the fall and October!   So, if you haven't checked out some wonderful blogs that decorate for fall and Halloween, I suggest you check them out!  Go Susan's TableScape Thursday at Between Naps on the Back porch!  Follow her fellow bloggers that post their Tablescapes for that day.  Also, check out A Fanciful Twist for a real spookey time.  You can get to these blogs on my sidebar under Pretty Places to Visit.  Enjoy!  And Happy Fall!!!

                                          In The Beautiful Texas Hill Country

                              Beautiful Fall Foliage of Aspen Meadows in Santa Fe, NM
                                                                                  

Fall is coming...

Hello Blog Friends!

I am wanting the fall weather to start, but don't have time to decorate yet!  I've put a few things out, but don't have the time to completely decorate the house the way I like!  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the colors of fall and my house does reflect that.  So....for all of you who don't have time....like me....to do it justice....pour over the blogs who do have the time and let's get some inspiration!!! 

Wow!! I like this pumpkin patch!!!

Must have pumpkin people!!!

A rather LARGE pumpkin!!!

A tired Scarecrow Farmer!!!

One very cute Scarecrow!!!

Hope this is some inspiration for you!  Go forth and be Fallish!!!  And Decorate!!!

Happy Decorating....Dee Dee

Sisters on the Fly

While I was on vacation with my family down in Port Aransas, my sister sent me this photo of one of the cute trailers from "Sisters on the Fly".  This one was parked on the beach!   Here's the photo she sent to me.  Cute huh!!!


Dee Dee

Texas Spirit

Hey Blogging Buddies,  I have been pouring over pages from the Cowboys and Indians Magazine and found some pretty awsome shops in Bandera, Tx.   If you're look'n for some Texas Treasures you'll find some here.  It’s an interesting mix of cool cowboy boots, hats, clothing, lots of jewelry, aromatherapy, ranch furnishings and accessories, and, of course, great Texas music. 



http://www.gunslingersofbandera.com/

and

http://www.countryaccentsantiques.com/

Check out these two websites for some Texas fun!!!

Till next time.....Dee Dee

Health Benefits of Avocado

Greetings!!! Found this information on the internet and thought everyone might like to read up on the benefits of the Avocado.....enjoy! Yummm....


Health Benefits of Avocado

Jalapeno Jelly

I think I'm finally getting settled in my new job, and wanted to share with you my latest cooking project.  I have been wanting to make Jalapeno Jelly for a while now.  I finally got around to doing it .... so here's the process! 

Recipe I used from "Simply Simpatico...A Taste of New Mexico" Cookbook.

1 1/2 cups finely chopped, seeded green pepper (I used red bell pepper)
1 cup finely chopped and seeded jalapeno peppers
6 1/2 cups granulated sugar (I used 5 1/2)
1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
1/4 tsp green food coloring
1 6 oz bottle liquid fruit pectin.
 

                                                   Get your jars ready for canning!

                      
                                                    Get your ingredients together!!!

Chop up your red peppers!!!

Chop and remove the seeds from your jalapenos!!!

Mix the peppers, cider vinegar and sugar in a 4-6 quart saucepan and bring to a rolling boil.

Add the liquid fruit pectin and bring to a full, rolling boil again, stirring constantly for 1 minute.  Remove from burner and let stand for a minute or two and then skim off foam.  Add food coloring (if desired).  Pour into hot sterilized jelly jars and seal.  Serve with game or over cream cheese with crackers.

Finished product!!!

Hope you make your own batch of Jalapeno Jelly!!!

Till next time......Dee Dee

Haven't posted anything in awhile.  I've started a new job and it consumes my time!  I am going to be away from my blog for the summer.  I will try to resume again in the fall.  Thanks to all of you who left nice comments.  I'll be back with more recipes! 

Caio!  Dee Dee

Busy...busy.....busy.....busy

I can't believe it's already the end of May!  I have been sooo busy with my life and other projects I have not done much on my blog.  My sister and I have a booth at a place call "Craftiques Mall" in San Antonio.  We've been working on that because Shelly Miles from "San Antonio Living" show on WOAI TV has done a segment!  So we had to get ready for that!  I will enclude the link if you want to check it out.  So if you're in San Antonio you will want to plan this on your visit for a little shopping spree!  http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=833791

Just a few items we have in our booth!

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!!!!

 

Dee Dee

Cino De Mayo!!!

Hola Lady's!  In case some of you don't know, I am in love with New Mexico!  Especially Santa Fe!  This is where I met my sweet husband.  Even though I am from San Antonio, I love the culture of Santa Fe!  I was fortunate to live there for 3 years and experience the wonderul climate and culture.   Some of my recipes (salsa and Margarita's, Carne Adovada) originate from there.  I am here to help you celebrate your own Cino de Mayo!  Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating! 


Margarita's

Ingredients:


Margarita salt, for rim

Lime wedge, for rim and garnish

Ice

2 ounces tequila

1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice

1 ounce simple syrup, see Cook's Note

1/2 ounce green chile juice, see Cook's Note

Directions

Put some salt on a flat dish. Moisten the rim of the margarita glass with the lime wedge and dip it in to the salt.



Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup and green chile juice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 3 seconds. Pour into the salted glass and garnish with the lime wedge.



Cook's Note:



To make the simple syrup, heat 1 part water and 1 part granulated sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Cool before using.



To prepare the green chile juice, put 1 New Mexico green chile in a blender with 1 ounce of water and blend thoroughly. Strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer and transfer to a squeeze bottle. If New Mexico green chiles are not available, serrano chiles may be substituted.

Carne Adovada (Marinated Pork)

2-4 Pounds Pork shoulder roast

2 tsp Salt

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp whole leaf oregano

1 qt blended red chili

Sprinkle meat with salt.  Add garlic and oregano t blended chili.  Pour over meat and marinate in refrigator overnight.  Cook in Slow Cooker for 6-8 hours on low.                                                   

Serve with flour tortillas, onions and cheese

Red Chili Sauce

16-18 dried red chili pods

Hot water

2 cloves garlic

Salt to tase

Open each dried red chili pod.  Wash well inside and out and remove blemishes.  Remove stems, some

seeds and veins.  Rinse with cold water and soak in hot water for one hour or until soft.  Place the podsin an electric blender and add enough water to almost cover them, leaving about two inches headspace.  Blend until smooth and skins appear, about 2-3 minutes.  If sauce seems to be too thick, add more water and blend for another 1 minute or until skins disppear.  Add 2 cloves garlic and process until well blended.  Salt to taste.     

                                                                                            

Salsa

4 to 5 Tomatoes

2 Cans of Rotel Tomatoes (either mild or hot)

1/2 small onion

1 large Poblano Pepper or 4 Japalenos

1 lime

Cilantro (if desired)

2 cloves of garlic

Salt & Pepper

Combine rotel tomates in your Food Processor.  Add tomatoes, onion, peppers, cilantro and garlic.  Process until desired texture.  Add juice of one lime and salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve with Chips

Enjoy!!!

Dee Dee